LARAMIE, Wyo. - Despite dropping a pair of matches, the North Florida volleyball program (0-2) pocketed experience against a projected Mountain West Title contender, Wyoming (2-0), and No. 15 nationally-ranked Colorado (2-0) on the opening day of the 2018 season on day one at the Rumble in the Rockies Friday, August 24.
UNF fell 3-0 to the host Cowgirls in the season opener, although they responded with great energy in the nightcap, hanging with CU before succumbing in straight sets.
"Today we got tested by two quality programs," head coach
Kristen Wright said. "We want to play programs like this early to get good feedback and keep improving. We had several players that had their first collegiate appearances today."
Match 1 | Wyoming 3, North Florida 0 (12-25, 12-25, 17-25) | Box Score
Junior
Taryn Griffey pounded out 14 kills for just two shy of her career high, although Wyoming was strong at the net, stymying UNF with 15 blocks.
Behind the Box Score
- Wyoming had a pivotal 8-0 run to establish a 16-4 advantage in the first set, utilizing three aces by Jaiden Chase to open up a 1-0 set advantage.
- The second set saw another crucial Cowgirl run as Wyoming rode three kills from KC McMahon to a 15-4 advantage. Sophomore Emma Dixon recorded a kill and Taryn Griffey added another, although the Cowgirls responded with four blocks to help close out the set.
- UNF righted the ship in the third set, jumping out to a 7-3 lead with the help of kills from senior Alana Shoff, freshman Charyari Ramos and Griffey, prompting a Wyoming timeout. Wyoming's strong presence at the net helped them tie things up at 11 before a 14-7 run closed out the final set.
By the Numbers
Match 2 | No. 15 Colorado 3 UNF 0 (23-25, 17-25, 18-25) | Box Score
UNF gave all the 2017 NCAA Regional Semifinalist could handle in the opening set, creating a 23-22 lead, but the Buffs responded with three unanswered to steal set one. The Ospreys were in striking distance in both the second and third sets but a resilient Colorado squad held on to win in straight sets.
Behind the Box Score
- The first set was a back-and-forth affair with neither team possessing larger than a one-point lead until UNF went up 13-10 after a Griffey kill, causing CU to call a timeout.
- CU hit a blistering .414 in the opening set to stave off a diverse Osprey assault that saw three newcomers (Cestero, Dixon and freshman Kirby Smith) notch kills.
- The two teams traded punches again in set number two. Colorado generated a 7-4 advantage before UNF reclaimed a 12-11 lead after a shared block by Smith and Shoff.
- Three consecutive attack errors felled the Ospreys' rally in set two, allowing CU to pull ahead and close it on a 14-5 run.
- The Ospreys matched the Buffs with 13 kills in the third set, although eight errors to CU's three proved to be the difference in the final set.
- As a team North Florida posted a .144 point increase in their kill percentage between the Wyoming and Colorado matches.
Leaders by the Numbers
- Cestero | 7 kills, 3 blocks
- Griffey | 9 kills, .421 hitting percentage, 4 blocks
- McCarty | 22 assists, 1 ace
- Kaileen Herman | 14 assists
Points of Interest
- The 1,850-mile trek to Laramie, Wyoming marks the longest season-opening trip that the UNF volleyball program has made since its inaugural 1991 season.
- This is the first time that the Ospreys have faced the Colorado Buffaloes. The No. 15 squad made the NCAA Regional Semifinals a year ago, making it the earliest time that UNF volleyball has faced a ranked opponent since taking on No. 23 Michigan August 24, 2012 at the Tiger Invitational in Columbia, Mo.
- No UNF head coach has won their inaugural match since Mike Welch nabbed a 3-0 season-opening triumph against Valdosta State September 1, 1995.
- 13 different players earned playing time in the opening day of the season, five of which were newcomers.
Wright's Words
"The losses are in our control," Wright remarked. "We had too many unforced errors that will be fixed soon by experience and play. We are excited for tomorrow."
Up Next
UNF will stay in Laramie for one more day as it takes on Oral Roberts at 2 p.m. (EST) Saturday, August 25.
